Wisconsin Regional Art Program celebrates 75 years

August 24, 2015 |

2015 is the 75th anniversary of the Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP). The program, which helps nonprofessional artists from around Wisconsin develop their creative abilities, arose from the efforts of John Steuart Curry, an American Regionalist artist who served as artist-in-residence at CALS from 1936-46.

While at CALS, Curry founded the program to engage rural Wisconsinites in cultural activities, becoming a mentor to adults in small communities who wanted to pursue art in their spare time. HIs efforts continue in the form of WRAP, the only program of its kind in the United States.

This year’s exhibition, now on display, features more than 200 artists through Sept. 26 at the Pyle Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The artwork was chosen by the two dozen professional artists who’ve judged local WRAP exhibitions.

After the exhibition closes, a selection of these pieces will move to Ag Hall, where they will hang in the building’s main lobby.